Campaign Reports

Regular reporting is required throughout the campaign.  Remember to use FPPC's filing schedules to help you file timely reports.  Please see form instructions for details on how to complete the forms correctly.

Campaign Forms

For more information on how to complete forms, see form instructions.

Form 470  Recipient Committee Campaign Statement Short Form

  • For committees raising or spending less than $2000 during the calendar year

Form 460  Recipient Committee Campaign Statement

  • For committees raising or spending $2000 or more for their campaign

Form 497  24-Hour Contribution Report

  • Additional report for committees receiving or making contributions of $1000 or more from a single source during the 90 days before the election

Form 496  24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report 

  • Additional report for committees making independent expenditures of $1000 or more on a single candidate or ballot measure in the aggregate during the 90 days before the election

Form 462  Verification of Independent Expenditures

  • Additional report for committees making independent expenditures of $1000 or more on a single candidate or ballot measure in the aggregate

Return to top^

 

Where to File

  • Local committees file reports with their local elections office, generally the city clerk or registrar of voters.
  • State committees file reports with the Secretary of State, and possibly with the county of domicile.
  • Judicial committees file reports with the Secretary of State, and possibly with the county of domicile.

For more information on where to file, see form instructions.

Return to top^

 

Electronic Filing

  • Local committees must check with their local elections official to see if electronic filing is available or required.
  • State committees must file electronically with the Secretary of State once they reach the $25,000 threshold of contributions and expenditures, aggregated.  Paper copies are always required, even if filing electronically.
  • Judicial committees must file electronically with the Secretary of State once they reach the $25,000 threshold of contributions and expenditures, aggregated.  Paper copies are always required, even if filing electronically.

For more information on electronic filing requirements, see form instructions and the campaign disclosure manual for your committee.

Return to top^

 

When to File

Campaign reports may be due quarterly, or semi-annually.  In election years, there are also pre-election reports. Committees may have to file additional special reports depending on the date and amounts of contributions and/or expenditures.  Visit the filing schedule section of our website to find out what reports your committee is required to file for your election.

Return to top^

 

Amendments

There is no deadline for amending a report, but committees should file an amendment as soon as the error or omission is discovered.  Filing an amendment quickly may prevent a complaint from being filed against the committee, or fines being levied by filing officials or the FPPC.  It also helps prevent errors on future reports.  To file an amendment,  check the "Amendment" box at the top of the form and correct the page with the error or omission.

Return to top^

 

Penalties

Elections officials and the FPPC may fine committees if committees don't file campaign reports or if they file reports late.  Fines may also be assessed for incorrect and incomplete statements.  Examples of FPPC fines for campaign violations can be found on Enforcement's Case Resolution page.

Return to top^

 

Public Documents

Per Government Code Section 81008, campaign reports are public documents and subject to review by elections officials, members of the public, and other candidates and committees.  Filing officers are required by law to provide public access to reports upon demand, with no conditions applied.  Campaign reports posted online may be redacted at the discretion of the filing officer.  Hard copies of campaign reports must be provided to the requestor with all information disclosed.

Return to top^

The following are from FPPC Regulations.

Definitions

Regulation 18215         Contribution
Regulation 18215.1      Contributions; When Aggregated
Regulation 18215.2      Uncompensated Internet Activity by Individuals that is not a Contribution or Expenditure
Regulation 18225.7      Made at the behest of
Regulation 18432.5      Intermediary
Regulation 18435         Definition of Mass Mailing and Sender

 

Campaign Disclosure

Regulation 18215.2     Uncompensated Internet Activity by Individuals that is not a Contribution or Expenditure
Regulation 18401        Required Recordkeeping
Regulation 18405        Candidates with Multiple Controlled Committees
Regulation 18406        Candidates/Officeholders Who Receive/Spend Less than $2,000 in a Calendar Year
Regulation 18421.1     Disclosure of the Making and Receipt of Contributions
Regulation 18421.3     Reporting Contributions/Expenditures Collected by Contract Vendors or Collecting Agents
Regulation 18421.31   Text Message Contributions
Regulation 18421.4     Reporting Cumulative Amounts for State Elections and State Recipient Committees
Regulation 18421.5     Reporting an Expenditure for Paid Online Communications
Regulation 18421.6     Reporting Accrued Expenses
Regulation 18421.7     Reporting an Expenditure for a Gift, a Meal, or Travel
Regulation 18421.9     Reporting Expenditures Charged to a Credit, Debit or Charge Card
Regulation 18425        24-Hour Contribution Reports
Regulation 18426.1     Assistant Treasurer: Duties and Liability 
Regulation 18427        Duties of Treasurers and Candidates with Respect to Campaign Statements
Regulation 18427.1     Notification to Contributors of Filing Obligations
Regulation 18428        Reporting of Contributions and Independent Expenditures Required to be Aggregated
Regulation 18438.5     Aggregated Contributions Under Section 84308
Regulation 18438.6     Solicitation, Direction, and Receipt of Contributions Under Section 84308
Regulation 18526        Reimbursement of Expenditures
Regulation 18533        Contributions from Joint Checking Accounts
Regulation 18570        Return of Contributions with Insufficient Donor Information

 

This toolkit provides guidance and a general overview of the rules for campaigns, but it does not replace any requirements under the Political Reform Act or Fair Political Practices Commission Regulations.  Information here should be used in conjunction with a careful review of the applicable laws.

How to Request Advice

If you have questions about your obligations under the Act you can request advice directly from FPPC staff